It's almost been 6 months since I started working as a cashier at a grocery store & I thought I'd share some tips on how to make cashiers not hate you when you come through their line.
1. Don’t throw your receipt on the register
If you don’t want your receipt, just tell me. I’d be more than happy to throw it in the garbage. Or hell, maybe you could even throw it away yourself. But if you take the receipt from me, then drop it on the register, I will want to beat the living shit out of you for being a really rude dickhead.
2. Do not complain to me about anything.
This includes but isn’t limited to the prices, the temperature in the store, products being out of stock and how it took you forever to get your bologna from the deli. Not only do I not care at all, but do you really think a cashier making $8/hr has any control over any of those things? Most likely, I’ll say something like “Oh, yeah, I’ll make sure I tell the manager about that” but unless you’re complaining about a fire on aisle 6, there’s a 99% chance I won’t tell anyone. And if you’re complaining about something really stupid (yeah, I’m talking to you, guy who said he was never coming back because the store was too cold), I’ll just ignore you all together. I won’t even acknowledge your complaint.
3. Grocery stores do not sell rolling papers.
So stop asking.
4. If you don’t want something, tell me.
I know it can be really hard committing to buy a box of Ritz crackers or some frozen pizza rolls. So I understand if when you get to the register you find that you just can’t bring yourself to make the purchase. But instead of shoving a carton of ice cream somewhere where it won’t be found for another 5 hours after it’s melted all over the place, just give it to me.
5. If the light is on, the register is open. If it’s off, it’s not.
It blows my mind that people can’t figure out the whole register light system yet can figure out traffic lights. If the light for my register is on, do not ask me if I’m open. And if it’s off, you better not get in my line.
6. Don't Let Your Kid Slobber on Stuff
Nobody but you wants to touch a box of cookies that your kid has been chewing on. If you absolutely can't figure out how to keep your kid from gnawing on things, then use a paper towel to cover the slobbery parts or something before you hand the item to me.
7. Figure Stuff Out Before You Get to the Checkout
For example, if you aren't aware of what item this week's mystery penny coupon is for, ask someone when you first get into the store. Don't wait until I've rung up all your other shit to ask, then decide you whatever the item is & that I should go get it for you, making everyone behind you wait.
8. Read
Reading is always a good idea. Try reading the signs to make sure that what you're buying is on sale. As confusing as it may seem, just because 22 oz. boxes of original Cheerios are on sale doesn't mean that the 18 oz. box of frosted Cheerios you picked out is. And don't be one of those jackasses who makes a bagger run back and double check the sign you didn't read in the first place. Because then everyone will hate you.
There are so many more that I just can't think of right now. But it all pretty much boils down to don't be an idiot and I won't want to beat the shit out of you.
1. Don’t throw your receipt on the register
If you don’t want your receipt, just tell me. I’d be more than happy to throw it in the garbage. Or hell, maybe you could even throw it away yourself. But if you take the receipt from me, then drop it on the register, I will want to beat the living shit out of you for being a really rude dickhead.
2. Do not complain to me about anything.
This includes but isn’t limited to the prices, the temperature in the store, products being out of stock and how it took you forever to get your bologna from the deli. Not only do I not care at all, but do you really think a cashier making $8/hr has any control over any of those things? Most likely, I’ll say something like “Oh, yeah, I’ll make sure I tell the manager about that” but unless you’re complaining about a fire on aisle 6, there’s a 99% chance I won’t tell anyone. And if you’re complaining about something really stupid (yeah, I’m talking to you, guy who said he was never coming back because the store was too cold), I’ll just ignore you all together. I won’t even acknowledge your complaint.
3. Grocery stores do not sell rolling papers.
So stop asking.
4. If you don’t want something, tell me.
I know it can be really hard committing to buy a box of Ritz crackers or some frozen pizza rolls. So I understand if when you get to the register you find that you just can’t bring yourself to make the purchase. But instead of shoving a carton of ice cream somewhere where it won’t be found for another 5 hours after it’s melted all over the place, just give it to me.
5. If the light is on, the register is open. If it’s off, it’s not.
It blows my mind that people can’t figure out the whole register light system yet can figure out traffic lights. If the light for my register is on, do not ask me if I’m open. And if it’s off, you better not get in my line.
6. Don't Let Your Kid Slobber on Stuff
Nobody but you wants to touch a box of cookies that your kid has been chewing on. If you absolutely can't figure out how to keep your kid from gnawing on things, then use a paper towel to cover the slobbery parts or something before you hand the item to me.
7. Figure Stuff Out Before You Get to the Checkout
For example, if you aren't aware of what item this week's mystery penny coupon is for, ask someone when you first get into the store. Don't wait until I've rung up all your other shit to ask, then decide you whatever the item is & that I should go get it for you, making everyone behind you wait.
8. Read
Reading is always a good idea. Try reading the signs to make sure that what you're buying is on sale. As confusing as it may seem, just because 22 oz. boxes of original Cheerios are on sale doesn't mean that the 18 oz. box of frosted Cheerios you picked out is. And don't be one of those jackasses who makes a bagger run back and double check the sign you didn't read in the first place. Because then everyone will hate you.
There are so many more that I just can't think of right now. But it all pretty much boils down to don't be an idiot and I won't want to beat the shit out of you.